HEIC File Viewer Free Download | Windows 11, 10, 8, 7

Why need HEIC file viewer?

Apple introduced the High Efficiency Image Format (HEIF) in 2017 for its devices running on iOS 11 and higher. They named their version of this format as HEIC (High Efficiency Image Coding). HEIC images weigh almost half as much as JPEGs, yet maintain the same level of quality. This format enables iPhone users to capture high-quality pictures, making it the favored choice for the future.

However, Windows apps currently do not have native support for the HEIC format. If you're looking to access HEIC images on your PC, you may need to use a HEIC file viewer. Fortunately, there are several apps available that can seamlessly view HEIC files on Windows. Take a look at the list below to find out which apps you can use.

• HEIC viewer online
• HEIC viewer for Windows
• Bonus: how to convert HEIC to JPEG/JPG/PNG

HEIC viewer online

If you do not want to download any apps, you may want HEIC viewer online. In this case, you can use Google Photos or Dropbox. They can help you view heic files on any device, including  Android, Mac, and iPhone.

Google Photos

The first option for viewing HEIC files online is Google Photos, a widely recognized platform. While primarily known for storing JPEG images, it is worth noting that Google Photos also supports HEIC files.

It allows users to access and view HEIC files on various devices, including Android, Windows, and other modern systems that lack native HEIC compatibility. Furthermore, Google Photos offers the convenience of converting HEIC files to JPEG format simply by right-clicking on the desired photo on a computer.

Pros:

• Enjoy 15GB of storage space at no cost.
• Store images in various formats, providing versatility for your needs.
• Compatible with both desktops and mobile devices, ensuring convenient access.

Cons:

• Additional storage space requires payment, which may incur additional expenses.
• HEIC file conversion can only be done individually, potentially time-consuming.
• The process necessitates uploading HEIC files to Google beforehand.

Dropbox

Among the various options available, Dropbox stands out as a well-known choice. It is widely recognized by many individuals. Apart from being a cloud storage service, it also serves as a dependable online viewer for HEIC files. You have the option to safely save, view, and share HEIC images on this platform, even converting them into JPG and PNG formats if desired.

What makes Dropbox particularly attractive is its compatibility with various systems, such as iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows. This allows users to conveniently upload HEIC images across different devices and effortlessly view them without any limitations.

Pros:

• Works seamlessly on both Mac and Windows operating systems.
• Can open HEIC files on any device.

Cons:

• Limited to only 5 GB of available storage space.
• Converting HEIC files may present some challenges.

HEIC viewer for Windows 11, 10, 8, 7

Here are the best 4 HEIC viewers for Windows 11, 10, 8, 7 that allow you to view HEIC files on computer.

Microsoft Photos App

In Windows 10/11, Microsoft Photos is the pre-installed photo management application. By equipping your system with the HEIF Image Extensions, you can effortlessly view and enhance your HEIC photos. For a small fee of $0.99, you gain access to these extensions.

Furthermore, you have the option to explore the multi-view mode, which presents your pictures in a convenient filmstrip format.

Pros:

• Enjoy the ability to view and modify HEIC images effortlessly.
• Take advantage of both full-screen and thumbnail viewing options for HEIC pictures.

Cons:

• There is a slight possibility of encountering app crashes on rare occasions.
• Extensions must be installed prior to accessing the desired features or functionality.

HEIF Utility

This PC-based HEIC player is a great option for Windows users who want to view images in various formats and make minor edits. Its interface is user-friendly, and it offers different viewing modes for your convenience.

Pros:

• You have the ability to flip, rotate, cut, and perform other editing functions on your HEIC pictures.
• Various viewing modes are provided, giving you different ways to experience your images.
• It is easy to view your HEIC pictures in thumbnail form, allowing for quick and convenient browsing.

Cons:

• The interface of this HEIC image viewer is outdated and may not meet modern design standards.
• There have been no recent updates to address potential bugs or add new features, which could impact. functionality and compatibility with newer systems.

Apowersoft Photo Viewer

 Apowersoft Photo Viewer is a cutting-edge application that breaks new ground by offering direct support for viewing HEIC format images. With this advanced photo viewer, users can effortlessly open and explore their images in any of the popular image formats, such as JPG, PNG, BMP, GIF, and even the latest HEIC format. Furthermore, this viewer boasts an intuitive interface that ensures a user-friendly experience for all.

Pros:

• Allows users to view photos in various formats, including HEIC.
• Batch processing is supported, making it convenient for handling multiple photos at once.

Pros:

• Lacks dynamic photo editing features, limiting its capabilities in enhancing and modifying images.

XnView

XnView offers its users a fantastic perk: it's completely free of charge. Plus, it has the ability to seamlessly handle various image file formats, such as HEIC, camera RAW, OpenEXR, DNG, and many others. What sets XnView apart from Microsoft Photos is its impressive compatibility with almost all versions of Windows.

Pros:

• Compatibility with a wide range of formats including HEIC, camera RAW, OpenEXR, DNG, PNG, and more.
• Convenient viewing and resizing of HEIC images.
• Ability to zoom in on pictures without compromising quality.

Cons:

• Only basic editing functions are supported.

How to convert HEIC to JPEG/JPG/PNG

The HEIC file viewer can help you open HEIC files on Windows. However, there are instances where converting the HEIC file to JPG format proves to be more efficient, allowing for easy accessibility on any device.

When you want to convert HEIC to a wide support format, you can use FoneTool This outstanding tool allows for seamless HEIC to JPG/JPEG/PNG conversion, without any concerns about image quality reduction or file security. Furthermore, FoneTool excels in batch conversion.

Below is an example to convert HEIC to JPG on Windows 10:

• Download, install and launch FoneTool.

• Choose Toolbox from the left pane > Select HEIC Converter.

• Drag the photo you need or click Add Photo to select the HEIC image.

• Choose the format you want to convert and adjust other settings.

• Finally, click Start Converting.

💡 FoneTool supports data transfer between iPhone and PC. You can first go to Phone Transfer > iPhone to PC to export iPhone photos and then convert them to the desired format.

Final words

If you want a HEIC file viewer online, then you can use Google Photos or Dropbox. Or you can use HEIC file viewer for Windows to view heic pictures. In addition, you can utilize reliable software like FoneTool to convert HEIC files to JPG/JPEG/PNG format, which allows for easy sharing across multiple devices and platforms.